Stenciling apparatus



May 9, 1939.

| D. SOUBIER STENCIL-ING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 30, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR A TTE m m M d M w L IIII lllllllllll ll STENC ILiNG APPARATUS Filed Sept. 30, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR A Z eonard l2. Joubz'er;

BY AT EYS y 1 D. SOUBIE'R v 2,157,638

STENCILING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 50, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 11v VENTOR Leonard J). So /bier;

AT NEYS' Patented Ma 9, 1939 UNITED s'ra'rss PATENT OFFICE- s'rsn cmme srrm'rns Leonard D. Sonhier, Toledo, Ohio, assignor to Owens-Illinois Glass Co of Ohio mpany, a corporation The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus for marking or decorating the cylindrical surfaces df bottles and like articles with lettering or other desired designs by a stenciling, printing, or other process wherein the ink, enamel composition or other coloring material is forced through a stencil screen by means of a squeegee.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a stenciling or other decorating apparatus which operates automatically to decorate I of decorating-apparatus embodying the prin'ciples of the invention;

the cylindrical surfaces of bottles or like articl'es fed in succession thereto and which will orient thebottles angularly prior. to each applicationof color to the surface thereof in such a manner that proper circumferential positioning of the variously independently applied colors or component parts of the designs will be attained, while at the same time the completed designs will not overlie the usual mold seams occurring on the bottles.

In carrying out the above mentioned object,

the invention, in one form thereof, contemplates the provision of a decorating apparatushaving associated therewith a plurality of bottle conveying units, each of which is adapted to receive and rotatably support a bottle to be decorated,

article supporting chucks of each article conveying unit cooperates with a similar means for insuring proper superimposition of the component colors of the design upon the surface of the articles. r

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description of the invention ensues. V

In the accompanying drawings: Y Fig. 1 is. aside elevational view of one form Fig. 2is a fragmentary side'elevational view of another form of decorating apparatus;

Fig.- 3 is an enlarged stantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

h Fig. '4 isa sectional view taken substantially along the line 41-4 of Fig.3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5'-5 of Fig. 3;

sectional view taken sub Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 'I--'I of Fig. 6;

Fig; 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-9 oi Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line Ill-40 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view simila to Fig. 3 showing a modifiedform of the invention;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l2-I2 of Fig. 11;.and

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view illustrating an electrical circuit employed in connection with the present invention.

Briefly, the invention is embodied in a decorating apparatus involving in its general organization an endless horizontal conveyor ll (Fig. supported in the framework [5 of the apparatus and driven by a motor |6 to which driving connection is eifected by a chain [1 or like element. The conveyor carries a series of article holding units lB-which are adapted to rotatably support and convey bottles B or other articles having cylindrical surfaces in succession beneath ,a plurality of stencil screens in'tangential rolling line contact therewith. While any number of stencil screens may be provided. depending upon the number of color applications to be made to each bottle. in. the present instance two screens S and 3' have been illustrated, each screen being adapted to apply. a component color or part of the designt'o the bottles. A drying device D is disposed between the screens S and S above the path of move-c, ment of the bottles B and is adapted to apply sufliclent heat to,the bottles issuing from the first screen S and passing to the secondscreen 'S" that the component *part of-the decoration applied to the bottles by the former screen will have become set or hardened before the bottles are treate'd by the second screen-S The screens S and S? have associated therewith squeegee carrying units l9 and 2. respec-' -tively, including squeegees' S and S The units IS and 20 are adapted to travel horizontally in the apparatusto move the squeegees S? and S across. the surface of the respective screens S and S and force coloring material applied to the screens through the same and onto the bottles B passing therebeneath. Means is provided" for periodically returning the units 1! and II 3 the squeegeess and S? may cooperate with each successive bottle Bpassing beneath the screens S ands.

Each of the article holding units I 8 consists of a body portion 25 or casting (Figs. 3 and 4) which has formed on oneside thereof an elevated bearing 25 in which is rotatably mounted a base chuck 21 designed to support the base of a bottle B undergoing decoration. The head chuck 28 isrotatably mounted in bearings 29 carried by a slide 30 and includes an elastic cup 3| mounted upon a holder 32. The slide 30 is mounted in a slideway 33 and a coil spring 34 normally urges the slide. 30 inwardly of the casting 25 to movethe cup 3| to its innermost article engaging position. The bottles are manually placed in the units [8 at the forward end of the conveyor I4, it being necessary for the operator merely to insert the neck portion of each bottle in the elastic cup 31 and force the slide outwardly until the base portion of the bottle clears the base chuck 21.

The casting 25 is provided with a plurality of pairs of depending ears 35 or legs which rotatably support therebetween respective transverse shafts 36 carrying supporting wheels 31 at their Outer ends. As shown in Fig. 1, the shafts 36 form the pivotal connection by means of which the units .18 are supported in the conveyor I4. Horizontalrunways .38 provided on the framework I 5 (Figs. 1 and i) extendlongitudinally of the conveyor I4 in the upper regions thereof, and provide a rolling support for the units H3 on the supporting wheels 31. 7

Referring now to Figs. 3 and'6, the stencil screens S and S are each carried by a rectangular screen frame which is mounted upon a horizontal supporting arm 4! formed on the upper end of a standard 42. The standards 42 are adjustable toward and away.from each other in slots 43 providedin the framework l5 .of the apparatus.

In order to effect positive tangential rolling line contact'between the cylindrical surfaces of the bottles B carried in the units 3 and the stencil screens S and S an upstanding wall 44 (Figs. 1

and 3), forming apart of the stationary framework I5, carries upper and lower-friction strips 45 and 45' which are designed for engagement with a friction wheel 46 mounted on the outer 'end of each base chuck 21. The friction strip 45' extends from a point well forwardly of the first stencil screens and terminates adjacent the forward end of the screen and is adapted to impart clockwise rotation to the bottles B as viewed in Fig. 1 for a purpose subsequently to be described. The friction strip 45 extends from a the bottle B, together with the chuck .21, will tles B may be brought into decorating position in contact with the second screen S in such a manner that the first color application applied to the bottles by the first screen S will be so container C for the decorating material is s ecured to the holder 50 and is adapted to apply decorating material to the screen in the path of movement of the squeegee thereover. Supporiw ing wheels 54 mounted upon trunnions ride upon tracks 55 which extend longitudinally of the apparatus and thus the standards 53 are capable oflongitudinal reciprocal motion independently of each other. A coil spring 51 serves to normally maintain each standard in an initial position on the tracks 55.

In order that the squeegees S and S shall follow the movements of each successive bottle passing beneath the respective screens S and S and pass across the surfaces of the screens in contact therewith 'along the respective lines of tangential contact between the screens and hottles undergoing decoration, a recess 58 providing a shoulder 59 is formed in the underneath side of each standard 53. One of the depending ears 35 of each article supporting unit l8 has pivoted thereto an arm 50 which carries at'its free end a finger 69 which is designed for engagement with the abutments 59. A spring 52 serves to normally urge the arms Stand fingers 6! into engagement with a cam track 63 (see also Fig.1). The cam track 53 is discontinued as at 5-! in the vicinity of the stencil screens S and S and thus in these regions, the fingers 5! are adapted to engage the abutments 59 as the units i8 pass beneath the screens S and S to impel these standards 53 rearwardly and move the squeegees carried thereby across the surfaces of their respective screens. The extent of the actual deco- ,rating strokes of the squeegees S and S upon the fingers 5! from the recesses 58 to clear the abuhnents 59 and release the standard 53 whereupon coil springs 51 serve to return the standards to their initial position. 7

In order that thesqueegees S and S shall become elevated from their respective stencil screens S and S during return movement of the former; one end 55 of each squeegee arm 5| -overlies a solenoid 55 (Fig. 3) bolted to the recommence to rotate and will continue to rotate until thebottle has passed beneath-the second stencil screen S. It will be seen, therefore; that by properly adjusting the distance between the screen supporting standards 421m 6) the botspective standard 53 andjs connected to the armature thereof by a link 51. The solenoids 55 are adapted to be energized by means of electric switch devices 58 (Fig. 6) which are in turn ac-- tuated by means of slide bars 59 which reciprofcate in guides 15 secured to the framework l5.

Qnetrunnion 55 of each standard 53 extends outwardlytherefrom and is adapted to alternately engage uptm-nedends H formed on the slidebars 59. Thus, as each Squeegee reaches the end of its decorative stroke (For 11?; the respecthe solenoid 68 is energized and the end 85 of the squeegee arm i islowered and the arm is caused to tilt upon the shaft 52 to elevate the squeegee fromthe screen during its return movement to its initial position. Upon reaching its initial position, thesolenoid is deenergized and the squeegee falls into contact with the screen preparatory tothe next succeeding decorating stroke thereof.

' which is adapted to bear against thecylindricalthe shoulder region thereof and Referring now to Figs. 1 and 4, the usual'mold seams that occur on the bottles are designated at s. The bottles are placed in the article support-' ing units H3 in a cumbent position in the manner previously described as the units l8 move upwardly while rounding the forward end of the con- Since the bottles are placed in the units veyor. i8 without regard to their angular positiomme'ans is provided for arresting rotational movement of {the bottles after the friction whe'els'48 have come into engagement with the friction strip .45 at precisely the moment when the bottles are prop- 'erly oriented so that the seams have passed over the vertical plane passing centrally through the cumbent bottles. Thus, as each bottle proceeds into initial tangential engagement with the screen, the line of tangency between the bottle and screen will exist near the seam andto one side thereof so that the decoration, when applied to the bottle, will commence on one side of the seam. Means is also provided for releasing the arresting means whereby the bottle may; upon.

commencement of the decorating operation, assume a-rolling line contact with the screen.

Toward these ends, in the forms of the inven- -tion illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive,,a protuberance P is formed on each bottle 'adjacent cooperate with a switch control mechanismlfi associated with each-unit 3 which serves to actuate a braking mechanism 18 also associated with each unit anddesigned to arrest the rotational movement of the mspective base chuck 21. In the form of the invention illustrated in.

Figs. 11 and 12, a protuberance P is formed on each" head chuck 28 and is designed for engagement with a similarswitch control mechanism. The switch control mechanism just referred to comprises a standard 11 (Figs. 4 and 12) provided with a rock-shaft 18 at its upper end. A follower 19 is pivoted to the rock-shaft -18a.nd is provided with an arm 19' thereon carrying-a roller 80 surface of the bottle. A plunger 8| projects through the follower 19 and one end thereof is designed to extend into the proximity of the surface of the bottle by virtue of a coil spring- 82 'which normally urges the plunger outwardly from the follower. The other end ofrthe plunger bears against a rocker arm 83 which carries a contact 84 which cooperates with a contact 85. carried by the follower 19 in opening or closing an electrical circuit through a solenoid 88 (Fig. 5) forming a part of the braking mechanism 16 previously mentioned. The plunger 8| rides around the surface of the bottle and is positioned directly in the path of movement of the protuberance P The contacts 84 and 85 normally remain out of engagement, but upon engagement of theplunger 8| with the protuberance P the contacts 84 and 85 are moved into engagement. to close the circuit through the solenoid 86. I

Referring now to Fig. 5, the'braking mechanism 16 comprises a stop'pawl 90 designed-for engagement with a ratchet wheel-9| formed on the base chuck 21. The ,stop pawl-88 is norsig ned t0 9| by mea'ns 'of a coil spring 92. The pawl 98 is mally held out of contact with the ratchet wheel connected by a link193 to the armature of the solenoid 88 in such a manner that upon energiza- I tion of the solenoid the pawlis moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel 9| against the action of the'coil spring 82.

From the above description of the switch control instrumentalities and braking instrumentalities-lfi controlled thereby, it is apparent that precisely as the protuberance P formed on each bottle engages the plunger 8|, the solenoid 88 will be energized in the manner just described and the Also included in the circuit'through the solenoid 88 is a switch 91 provided with a controlling plunger 98 designed for engagement with the wall 44. v by virtue of a recess 89 (Fig.6) formedin the wall in order that closing of the contacts 84 and 85 by the switch control mechanism 15 will close the circuit through the solenoid 86 and stop rotation of the base: chuck 21 as previously described. In order that after the decorating operationhas commenced each successivev contact of the protuberance P with the plunger 8| shall not operate to stop rotation of the bottle, the wall .44 is provided with a raised portion I88 upon which the plunger 98 rides, thus opening the switch 91 and rendering the periodic closing'of the contacts 84, 85 ineffective.

Whereas, in the formof the in Figs. .1 and 3 to 10 inclusive, the distance between the stencil screen supports 42 may be adjusted in order that the bottles in traversing the distance between the screen S and S will rotate throughout a complete number of revolutions, in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2 .the

stencil screen supports 42 may be formed on or secured permanently to the stationary framework I5 with the standards spaced apart an arbitrary The switch 91 remains closed normally" distance. The bottles B approach thevfirst stencil screen S are automatically oriented sothat the first color applicationwill be properly positioned thereon on one side of the seams, and are decorated exactlyas described in connection with the form of 'the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 3 to 10 inclusive, The friction strip 45, however, is discontinueda short distance rearwardly of the first screen S and thus, after the bottles have passed the first screen and received the first color appli cation thereon, rotation thereof ceases. tion strip |0| is provided on the wall 44 and extends from a point well forwardly of the second screen-S to a point adjacent the forward end thereof and is designed for. engagement with the friction wheels 46. Thus, as the bottles approach the second screen's prior to the second'color application, the base-chucks 21 and bottles carried thereby'are caused to rotate ina clockwise,

directionand are oriented prior to their initial A friccontact with the second screen in the manner.

previously described by virtue of the engagement of .the protuberance P with the plunger 8|.

It is obvious that whether protuberances P be formed on each bottleo'r whether a protuber- 40 invention shown ance P be formed on the head chuck 3| as previously described in connection with the decoemployed. In either event, the successive color applications made upon the bottles will be properly superimposed or applied to, the bottles in a predetermined relation to each other or to the seams, if any, formed on the bottles.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for decorating articles, a plurality of article supporting units for rotatably supporting and conveying articles to be decorated from a receiving zone to a decorating zone, means operable during the travel of the articles from said receiving zone to said decorating zone for successively rotating the articles about their respective axes, and means carried by said units and cooperating with the articles supported thereby for arresting such rotation when the articles have attained a predetermined orientation in their respective supporting units.

2. In an apparatus for decorating articles, a plurality ofarticle supporting units for rotatably supporting and conveying articles to be decorated from a receiving zone to avdecorating zone, tractional meanswhereby movement of the articles from said receiving zone to said decorating zone causes rotation of the articles, and means carried by said units and cooperating with the articles for arresting such rotation and thus causing slippage of mid tractional means when the articles have attained. a predetermined orientation in their respective supporting units. 4

' 3. In an apparatus for decorating articles,.a plurality of article supporting units for supporting and conveying articles to be decorated from a receiving zone to a decorating zone, said units each including a pair of chucks for supporting an article therebet'ween, means operable during the travel of the articles and units from said receiving zone to said decorating zone for successively rotating one of the chucks of said units, and means carried by said units and cooperating with the articles for arresting rotation of the rotated chucks when said chucks haveattained a predetermined angular position on their respectivesupporting units. j

4. In an apparatus for decorating articles, a plurality of article supporting units for supporting and conveying articles to be decorated irom a receiving zone to a decorating zone, said units each including a chuck for. rotatablv supporting an article, means operable during travel of the articles. and units from said receiving zone to said supporting and conveying articles to be decorated from a receiving zone to a decorating zone, said 7 units each including a head-chuck anew-a base chuck, a protuberance on said head chuck, means operable during travel of the articles and units from said receiving zone to said decorating zone for successively rotating-the base chucks of said units, and means carried by each unit and (:0-

operating with said protuberance for arresting rotation of the base chuck thereof when the head chuck thereof attains a predetermined angular position on the unit.

6. In an apparatus for decorating articles, a

plurality of article supporting units for rotatably supporting and conveying articles to be decorated from a receiving zone to a decorating zone, said units each including a pair of chucks between which an article is adapted to be supported, means when the other chuck attains a predetermined angular position on the supporting unit.

7. In an apparatus for decorating articles, a

plurality of article supporting units for supporting and conveying articles to be decorated from a receiving zone to a decorating zone, said units each including a head chuck and a base chuck,

- means operable during the travel of the articlesandunits from said receiving zone to said decorating zone for successively rotating the base chucks of said units, and means carried by each unit and cooperating with the head chuck thereof for arresting rotation of the base chuck thereof when the head chuck attains a predetermined angular position on the unit.

8. In an apparatus for decorating articles, a plurality of article holding units, each including a rotary chuck upon which the articles are sup-' ported, means for continually moving said units past receiving, decorating and discharging zones, means positioned between the receiving and decorating zones in the path of said units and adapted to engage said chuck to impart rotation to the same before arrival of the units at said decorating zone, and means carried by each unit and cooperatingwith the article carried thereby for arresting rotation of the chuck thereof when the article has attained a predetermined angular position in the unit.

.9. In an apparatus for decorating articles, a

plurality of article holding units, each including a rotary chuck upori which the articles are supported, means for continually moving said units past receiving, decorating and discharging zones,

- means positioned between the receiving and decorating zones in the path of said units and adapted to engage" said.chuck to impart rotation to the same beforearrival of the units atsaid decorating zone, and means carried by each unit for arresting rotation of the chuck thereof when the article carried thereby has attained a predetermined orientation in said unit.

10. In an apparatus for decorating articles, a plurality of article holding units, each including a rotary chuck upon which the articles aresupported, means for continually moving said units past receiving, decorating and discharging zones, means positioned between the receiving and decoratingzones in the patho'f said units and adapted to engage said chuck to impart rotation to the same before arrival of the units at said decorating zone, and means carried by each unit and cooperating with the chuck thereof for arresting rotation of the chuck when .the latter has attained a predetermined angular position in the unit. 4

11. In an apparatus for decorating articles, a plurality of article holding units, each including a rotary chuck upon which the articles are supported, means for continually moving past receiving, decorating and discharging zones,

means positioned between the receiving and decorating zones in the path of said units and adapted to engage said chuck to impart rotation to the same in one direction before arrival of the units at said decorating zone, means positioned at said decorating zone in the path of said units and adapted to engage said chuck to impart rotation to the same in the opposite direction during decoration of the articles, and means carried by each unit; for arresting rotation of the chuck thereof when the article first assumes a predetermined angular position in the unit due to rotation thereof.

12. In an apparatus for decorating articles, a

- plurality of article holding units, each including a rotary chuck upon which the articles are supported, means for continually moving said units past receiving, decorating and discharging zones, means positioned between the receiving and decorating zones in the path of said units and adapted to engage said chuck toimpart rotation to the same in one direction before arrival of the units at said decorating zone, means positioned at said decorating zone in the path of said units and adapted to engage said chuck to impart rotation v to the same in the opposite direction during decoration 'of the articles, and means carried by each unit and cooperating with the chuck thereof for arresting rotation of the chuck when the latter first assumes a predetermined angular position in the unit due to rotation thereof.

-13.- In an apparatus for decorating articles, a plurality of article holding units, each including a rotary chuck upon which the articles are supported, means for continually moving said units past receiving, decorating and discharging zones,-

. means positioned between the receiving and decorating zones in the path of said units and adapted to engage said chuck to impart rotation to the same in one direction before arrival of the unitsat said decorating zone, means positioned at said decorating zone'in the path of said units and adapted to engage said chuck to, impart rotation to the same in the opposite direction during decoration of the articles, and means carried by each unit and cooperating with the article car'- ried thereby for arresting rotation of the chuck when the article assumes a predetermined angular position. I

14. In an apparatus for decorating articles, a plurality of article supporting units for rotatably supporting and conveying articles to be decorated from a receiving zone to a decorating zone, trac-' tional-means operable'du'ring the travel'of the articles from said receiving zone to said decorating zone ,forsuccessively rotating said articles about their'respective axes, and'means for are, resting such rotation and thus causing slippage of said tractional means when said articles have attained a predetermined orientation in theiruespective units. 7

15. In an apparatus for decorating articleaa plurality of article holding units, each including a rotary chuck upon which the articles are supported, means for continually moving said units past receiving, decorating and discharging zones, means positioned between the receiving and decorating zones in the path of said units and adapted.

to engage said chuck to impart rotation to the same in one directionbefore arrival of the units at said decorafingz ne, means positioned at said decorating zone in the path of said units and adapted to engage, said chuck to impart rotation;

to the same in the other direction during decoration of the articles, and means carried by each unit and cooperating with the chuck thereof for arresting rotation of the chuck when said article assumes a predetermined angular position.

16. In anapparatus for decorating articles, a

plurality of article holding units, each having a head chuck and a base chuck between which chucks the articles are supported, means for con- -tinually moving said units past receiving, deco- ,rating and discharging zones, means positioned between the receiving and decorating zones in the path of said units and adapted to engage the base'chucks thereof to impart rotation to the same in one direction before arrival of the units at said decorating zone, means positioned at said decorating zone in the path of said units and adapted to engage-said base chucks to impart rotation to the same in the other direction during decoration of, the articles, and means carried by each unit and cooperating with the head chuck 'thereof' for arresting rotation of the respective base chuck when the head chuck assumes a predetermined angular position on said unit.

17. In an apparatus for applying decorations to circumferentially spaced regions on the cylindrical sides of articles, a plurality of article holding units each including a rotary chuck for supporting an article, means for moving said units successively past a receiving zone and first and talities in the vicinity of each decorating zone insecond decorating zones, decorating instrumencluding a stencil screen with which the articles 7 come into tangential rolling line contact, tractional means operable during the travel of the.

articles from said receiving zone to the first decorating zone for successively rotating said articles about their respective axes, means for arresting such rotation and thus causing slippage of said tractional means when said articles have attained a predetermined orientation in their -respective units, and tractional means operable during travel of the articles from the first decorating zone to the second decorating zone for rotating the articles throughout a predetermined angle.

18. In an apparatus for applying decorations to circumferentially spaced regions on the cylindrical sides of articles, a plurality of article holding units each including a rotary chuck for supporting an article, means for moving said units successively past a receiving zone and first. and second decorating zones, decorating instrumentalities in the vicinity of e'ach decorating zone including a stencil screen with which the articles come into tangential rolling line contact,

means disposed between the receiving zone and first decorating zone for imparting to the artizone including a stencil screen-with which the articles come into tangential'rolling line contact,..

and tractional means operable during travel of cles a predetermined angular position on their respective holding units, and tractional means.

the articles from the first decorating zone to the second decorating zone for rotating the articles throughout a'predetermined angle.

20. In an apparatus for applying multi-color .decorations to circumferentially spaced regions on the cylindrical sides of articles, a plurality of article holding units each including a rotary chuck for supporting an article, means for moving said units successively past a receiving zone, a flrst decorating zone, a drying zone, and a second decorating zone, decorating instrumentalities in the vicinity of each decorating zone including a stencil screen with which thearticles come into tangential rolling 'line contact and a squeegee,

therefor, means for moving said screen and squeegee relative to each other, means for applying heat to thearticles in-the drying zone,

\and tractional meansoperable'during travel of the articles from the first decorating zone to the second decorating zone for rotating the articles throughout a predetermined angle.

21. In anapparatus forapplying multi-color and means for applying heat to the bottles in 15 said drying zone. I

LEONARD DJ-SOUBIER. 

